The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1887-05-08
BIG FAMILIES INVOLVED.
Il DIVORCE C4SE THAT rs APT TO
MAKE A SOCIAL STIR.


Mrs. William Bayard Clarke, who Use d
to be Miss Wolf, Takes Her Child
and Her Fortune Away From Her
Husband-A Very Interesting Story.
For some time past Master in Chancery
George w. Cassidy has been engaged at
his chambers over the First National Bank
in this city, in hearing and taking test
mony in ole OF the most notable divorce
suits ever brought to the notice of the
courts of this State. 1t appears on the
records under the title of Mary S. Clar Ike
vs.. William Bayard Clarke. Ex Senator
William Brinkerhof appears for the lady.
The defendants are represented by M essrs.
Bowen & Dennin. Unwonted SECRECY
has been enJoined on all connected with
the case. IL was only by an accident that
the News secured any information of the
progress of the suit, and it's reporters were
met with bluffs wherever they went for
particulars. The history of the case,
CLEANED from many sources, IS this:
Mary y. Clarkes maiden name was
Wolfe, aud she resides in Bloomfield, New
Jersey. Her family is the same as that of
CathariRe Wolfe, who has the reputation
of being the wealthiest lady in PnIiadel-
phia, and whose grand receptions are OF
national repute. The family are also
closely connected with the LorilIards, it
being said by some that the families are
first cousins. The plaintiff was at one
time one of the recognized bellies of New
York's highest society, and the houses OIL
all the prominent families of the Metrop-
oils were always open to her. In Bloom
field where she lived with her mother,
the family was held as second to none.
The defendant also lived with the fam
lily at Bloomfield. He was tall, handsome
fellow, and took pride ID the
POSSESSION of flowing blonde must
tache. 1t was known that he had
no money to speak of, and also that Mrs.
Wolfe was very wealthy, and the rumor be-
came current that he was living there as the
companion Of Mrs. Wolfe. Mrs. Woltes
daughter grew up 10 be a charming woman
and Clark became smitten with her. The
charms of the elder lady vanished IN the
light G, this new fame, and the love and
hand u the latter became his aim; and ne
was lot ignorant Of the fact either that the
daugi' er possessed the splendid fortune OF
$500, 900 in her own right. He made love
10 Fer and was not long IL discovering that
his splendid physique and heavy mustache
her. She loved him anu he was made the
happlest man in the world 1t was not
dltfisult matter to make plans to secure IN
disturbed bliss. On the 285h of December,
1885, they deserted the house at Bloomfield
and went 10 Westchester county. New
York, where they found z. Il. IL.
Sawyer, a Justice of the Peace who
made them one. But they did not
believe the knot was sufficiently tight, and
few days later they returned to Bloom
field, and were married second time by
Rev. I. Jefferson banner, of Christ Church.
TER dream of love continued without
anything to mar it, and two daughters,
Helen, now aged 10, and Norma, aged 3,
were born to bless the union.
This bill; sfEl state remained unchanged
until three years ago, when Mrs. CLARK LETT
their housaand her husband, and taking
the children with her, went to Nav York.
where, it is believed, she is now living
under an assumed name. She left note
behind her for her husband, charging him
with misconduct and that he was unit to
live with her. Not content with this, she
now seeks to have the Court of Chancery
unite the knot that was so strongly tied by
twy men and to release her from her hus-
band. 1t is known that the husband has
made a strong fight against his wife's
course and the evidence that will event
ualiy be submitted to the court will doubt
less be interesting reading.
means, and intimations are broadly made
that his wife's fortune is the prlzs Tor
which he is contending